Category Archives: 25 Days Of Christmas Music

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 25

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

peace 2

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Merry Christmas to all. Have a wonderful holiday however you choose to spend it. I hope you enjoyed the 2023 edition of 25 Days Of Christmas Music. It was a pleasure to share them with you.

Here is my message from 2020 which I feel is just as relevant now:  

I usually reserve “Joy To The World” for today, and despite the fact that it is indeed a joyous holiday, for this year I thought a song about peace would serve us all better. For our minds & bodies, for our hearts and spirits, for our country & our world, may “peace on earth, good will towards men” begin on this Christmas Day and await us all in the new year.

Thank you for being here over the last 12 months. I truly appreciate it. All the best in 2024.  

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Bing Crosby (L) and David Bowie (R) in 1977. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bing Crosby and David Bowie: ”Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy” ( (Recorded live during “Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas” TV special in 1977. “The Little Drummer Boy” written by Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. “Peace On Earth” written by Ian Fraser, Larry Grossman and Alan Kohan in 1977).

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 24

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Blog day 24

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The holiest night of the year is upon us. In honor of Christmas Eve, I offer his & her versions of the song that celebrates this event which were recorded 25 years apart by a Queen and a Reverend. 

“Silent night holy night
All is calm all is bright
’Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace“.

Aretha_Franklin_460x470_courtesy_Arista_Records
al green (1)

Top: The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in an undated photo. Bottom: The Reverend Al Green in the 1970’s. 

(Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Aretha Franklin: ”Silent Night” (2008, written by Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr).

Al Green: ”Silent Night” (1983, written by Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 23

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Blog day 23

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

We may have lost actor Ryan O’Neal earlier this month, but the singer by the same name is luckily alive and well. Better known by the name of his musical project, Sleeping At Last, his sparse yet unbelievably elegant arrangements showcase his beautiful and unique voice perfectly. From the first time I heard “Touch” on “Grey’s Anatomy”, I knew this man had a way with music that is the complete antithesis of the auto tune world which has become so prevalent of late. And O’Neal’s take on today’s Christmas song is an extraordinary example of his talent.  

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Sleeping At Last’s Ryan O’Neal. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sleeping At Last: “The First Noel” (2017, traditional).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 22

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Bruce 1-modified

My very own grown up Christmas list. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The film “Philadelphia” was released 30 years ago today on December 22, 1993. The groundbreaking movie earned over $200 million and became one of the highest-grossing films of that year. It also gave Bruce Springsteen his first Oscar nomination and win for Best Original Song in 1994 for “Streets Of Philadelphia”.

The track also earned the New Jersey native four Grammy Awards the same year as well: Best Song Written Specifically For A Motion Picture Or For Television, Best Rock Song, Best Male Rock Vocal Performance and Song Of The Year. If Born In The USA turned him into a megastar, his Academy Award secured his status as a legend. Merry Christmas, Bossman.  

Bruce
Bruce 2

Top: The sleeve for the single with today’s song as the B-side. Bottom: A festive Bossman. 

(Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bruce Springsteen: “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” (1975, written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 21

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Blog day 21

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I always associated today’s song with the original “Lethal Weapon” movie from 1987 (Mel Gibson = swoon). But after the 2004 release of “Mean Girls”, there is no way not to think about the Winter Talent Show scene and recall the shock of Cady’s parents to the suggestive moves their daughter & her friends used while dancing to this song. Or how Amy Poehler’s character thrusted right along with them while filming the performance from the audience. Whether you swoon or smile when you hear this song, I hope it is a good memory. If not, watch the two movies I referenced above. I promise they are worth it.  

Lethal

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bobby

Top: Mel Gibson (L) and Danny Glover (R) in 1987’s “Lethal Weapon”. Middle: The “Mean Girls” at the talent show (L-R): Lacey Chabert, Rachel McAdams, Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried. Bottom: Bobby Helms’ 1957 single. 

(Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bobby Helms: ”Jingle Bell Rock” (1957, written by Joe Beal and Jim Boothe). 

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 20

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 20

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

We have several versions of a definitive holiday song today, from the well known classic recording to a superb cover by another crooner to a Motown rendition that is absolutely wonderful to a female spin that is top notch. There are many more ways to say “Merry Christmas To You” but I think these four renditions are amongst the best. 

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos“.

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tony
temps
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Top: Nat King Cole circa 1960. Middle 1: Tony Bennett circa 1962. Middle 2: The Temptations in an undated photo. Top row, from left, Otis Williams, Dennis Edwards and Eddie Kendricks. Bottom row, Melvin Franklin, left, and Paul Williams. Credit:  Paul W. Bailey/NBC, via Getty Images. Bottom: Linda Ronstadt in the 1970’s. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Nat King Cole: ”The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)” (1946, 1961, written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells).

Tony Bennett: “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” (1968, written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells).

The Temptations: ”The Christmas Song” (Lead vocal by Otis Williams. 1970, written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells).

Linda Ronstadt: ”The Christmas Song” (2000, written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 19

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 19

A lovely vintage Christmas card image found on Pinterest. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

It is time for another his & her take on a holiday tune. Today’s song was published in 1945. Frank Sinatra recorded his version five years later. It reached #45 on the Holiday 100 chart. In 1959, his fellow Rat Pack buddy Dean Martin recorded his cover and it hit #6 on that chart plus it went to #8 on the mainstream Hot 100 singles chart. It appears to be the best selling version of this song. And as of today’s date (12/19/23), 64 years after its initial release, it is at the #10 spot in the country. Just one more reason why Martin was known as The King Of Cool. 

Country star Martina McBride’s version was on her 1998 album, White Christmas. I have always been taken by the beauty and the power of her voice but on today’s song, it is just pure fun. A perfect mood for the season. 

dean
Martina

(Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Dean Martin: ”Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1959, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne). 

Martina McBride: ”Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” ( 1998, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 18

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 18

A lovely vintage Christmas card image found on Pinterest. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Ronettes released today’s song in 1963, so it is another holiday classic turning 60 years old. This track is from the album, A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector, which featured a collection of his artists performing seasonal songs. One of Darlene Love’s contributions from it was shared on Day 13 (she recorded a total of four for the album) which is my favorite from the record, but the Ronettes’ tune is right behind it. Ronnie Spector’s voice is so unique and strong, and when combined with her group members the result is magical.

For some history and variety, I am also sharing the original track by one of the composers along with another of my favorite versions by The Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald. It is unbelievably wonderful, festive and adds a flair of sophistication to the season. But when doesn’t Lady Ella make things that much better? 

“Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We’re snuggled up together like two
Birds of a feather would be“.

Ronettes
Leroy
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Top: The Ronettes in 1963. Middle: Composer Leroy Anderson. Bottom: The beautiful Lady Ella. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

The Ronettes: “Sleigh Ride” (1963, written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish).

Leroy Anderson: “Sleigh Ride” (1950, written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish).

Ella Fitzgerald: “Sleigh Ride” (1960, written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 17

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 17

An adorable rustic Christmas tree with vintage Shiny Brite ornaments featured in Country Home Magazine.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

For someone who has loved-worshipped, actually-music her whole life, I had no idea until this year that classic Christmas songs could chart in the Billboard Hot 100. I do not know why I did not realize it, as many old songs have made the charts again when their songs were introduced to a new crowd by way of a TV show or movie (like Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” after it was featured in the 1986 movie of the same name). I always thought holiday songs had their own chart (which they do). 

The #1 song in the country right now on both charts is Brenda Lee’s “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree“, which was recorded in 1958. It got a boost when the 79 year old singer introduced a video for the song last month in honor of the 65th anniversary of its release (she is now the oldest artist to have a top-selling record).

There are five more holiday songs currently in the Top Ten, including today’s first pick which is #6. It is from the iconic Rankin-Bass TV special, “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Every song on that 1964 soundtrack was written by Johnny Marks, the same man who wrote Lee’s tune. What an incredible legacy to have such a hold on the holiday. 

The two songs from the “Rudolph” soundtrack which have been my favorites forever were both sung by the wise dapper snowman, Sam. Voiced by the Burl Ives, I wait for the first of today’s songs to consider it to be the official start of the Christmas season (along with Bruce’s take on another TV special song). The second of Sam’s songs is a bonus in a very big way. Watching the nearly 60 year old special & singing along to the same songs I sang along with as a child is both a comfort and bittersweet memory of a time when all was right in my world.

Ives and Marks 2
sam the snowman

Top: Burl Ives (L) and songwriter Johnny Marks (R) circa 1964. Bottom: Ives’ Christmas alter ego, Sam The Snowman. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Burl Ives: ”Holly Jolly Christmas” (1964, written by Johnny Marks). 

Burl Ives: ”Silver and Gold” (1964, written by Johnny Marks). 

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 16

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 16

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree decorated with a lovely assortment of neutral ornaments featured in Country Living Magazine.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song is another sing along favorite that has been covered dozens of times. My favorite is by Ray Charles so what’s not to love? Plus, his version is featured in two of my favorite movies: ”When Harry Met Sally” and “Elf”. 

This year I discovered another incredible take on this tune by Irish singer, songwriter & musician Hozier. His stripped down acoustic cover is really beautiful. I have been a fan of his from the first time I heard his extraordinary song, “Like Real People Do” from his self-titled debut in 2014. 

For a female slant on today’s track, I have also included the 1987 cover courtesy of The Eurythmics led by Annie Lennox’s gorgeous voice. One thing about this season is that we may hear the same tunes again and again, but when you have a variety of voices to choose from, it is like hearing an old song for the first time. And I adore that feeling. 

“Sleigh bells ring are you listening
In the lane snow is glistening
A beautiful sight we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland“.

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eurythmics
Hozier

Top: Ray Charles’ 1985 Christmas album. Middle: The Eurythmics in the 1980’s: Annie Lennox and David Stewart. Bottom: Hozier in 2019. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Ray Charles: “Winter Wonderland” (1985, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

The Eurythmics: “Winter Wonderland” (1987, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

Hozier: “Winter Wonderland” (2020, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!